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St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Celebrates Local Art and Waterways at First-Ever River Reflection

By
SJC Public Affairs
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ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Florida, March 3, 2025 – The St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department, in collaboration with the Matanzas Riverkeeper and St. Johns Riverkeeper, will celebrate local artists and our waterways at the first-ever River Reflection at Alpine Groves Park (2060 SR-13, St. Johns) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 14.

The evening showcase will center around the work of local artists of all ages and mediums and is inspired by the connection between our local waterways and our community. The beautiful sunset view available at Alpine Groves Park, one of the County’s most popular recreation areas, makes it the perfect venue for the outdoor gallery.

“As a member of the art selection committee, I can honestly say we’re in for a fantastic evening!” Outdoor Recreation Supervisor Kelly Ussia said. “Over 30 talented artists will be showcasing their work in a variety of mediums. It will be truly amazing to see such beautiful art come to life, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience it.”

A River Reflection was planned for March 2024, but poor weather led to it going digital. 2025 will see the first in-person incarnation of the event.

“Alpine Groves at sunset offers some of my favorite views in the entire county,” Natural Resources Superintendent Nathan Otter said. “It’s the perfect place to celebrate our county’s connection to water.”

There will be overflow event parking at Hickory Creek Elementary School (235 Hickory Creek Trail, Jacksonville) from 5:30–8 p.m., where a free shuttle will transport participants to and from the event. Eventgoers are encouraged to take advantage of the shuttle, as on-site parking will be limited.

Leadership Lessons with Dr. Saviak … Culture Determines the Destiny of Your Organization

By
Dr. Joe Saviak
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Culture explains how people think, talk, and act in an organization (Trice & Beyer, 1993; Campbell & Gortiz, 2013).  It defines what is acceptable and what is not (Bacharach, 2014).  It either helps or hurts the organization’s ability to achieve its mission, vision, goals, and objectives.  It’s more powerful than policy, procedures, training, or other tools which seek to influence employee thinking and behavior.   Culture is how we do business here.  It is the personality of the organization (Oden, 1997).

If it is not written down, it’s not culture.  Organizations should clearly articulate their values and expected attitudes and behaviors of members (Booz, Allen, & Hamilton, 2024).  For example, the Ritz-Carlton Hotels use all of their communications channels to convey the standards, motto, values, expected behaviors, and commitments of members of their team.

Successful organizations have a single, clear, consistent, and comprehensive culture which helps them attract and retain the right people and achieve their mission, goals, and objectives.  Culture involves shared values, vocabulary, and behaviors (Kotter, 2012).

Subcultures or mixed cultures are a problem.  They create conflict and confusion and undermine unity and performance (Winkler, 2013).

Who is responsible for the culture in your company, government agency, or non-profit organization?  The leadership has this all-important obligation.  They create and sustain the right or wrong culture.  Leaders must be intentional, pro-active, and consistent when it comes to culture.  If leadership does not act, the organization will still have one or more cultures as employees create their own.

Leaders have to communicate, model, reward, recognize, and employ every tool in the toolbox to obtain and maintain the right culture.  Recruiting, hiring, onboarding, evaluation, training and promotions are most likely to result in the intended culture.  Culture is hired.  When it’s irrefutable that someone rejects the culture, they cannot stay with the organization.

Different organizations are known for their cultures.  For example, a company may lead a market through its culture of customer service.  Similarly, when an organization has major problems like an ethical scandal it can always be traced back to its culture.

Incentives and disincentives are key to culture.  The thinking and conduct which is rewarded will be reinforced, repeated, and replicated.  Counter-culture attitudes and actions are not only unacceptable, but they are also unthinkable (Watkins, 2013).

Changing a culture is possible but challenging.  Leaders must be determined and disciplined about attaining the right culture.  Leaders have to be the example others emulate and employ every tool and resource to ensure the new culture is adopted and embraced.  It is a long-term process, but it can be done (Kotter, 2012)

Tony Hsieh once observed that if you get the culture right, everything else pretty much takes care of itself.  Culture will always decide if an organization excels, is mediocre, or ends in failure or obsolescence (Lencioni, 2012, Abrashoff, 2002, Maxwell, 1998, Collins, 2001).

#LeadershipLessonswithDrSaviak

Underwater Photographer Chris Gug Headed to Ocean Art Gallery For 2-Night Exhibition

By
Flagler News Weekly
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ON MARCH 12 & 13, 2025, OCEAN ART GALLERY, ORMOND BEACH, FL, WILL HOST A TWO-DAY EXHIBITION OF COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY ON METAL BY CHRIS GUG, A WORLD-RENOWN UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHER. ALL ART IN THE PROGRAM WILL REPRESENT GUG’S VARIED TRAVELS TO FIND THE MOST FASCINATING AND BEAUTIFUL IMAGES FROM THE UNDERSEA WORLD, HENCE THE SHOW’S TITLE “ART OF THE OCEAN.”

THE TWO-NIGHT EXHIBIT WILL START AT 5:30 PM EACH NIGHT, WITH CHRIS GUG PRESENTING A 30-MINUTE TALK ABOUT HIS ART AT 6:00 PM. FOLLOWING THE TWO-NIGHT PROGRAM, GUG’S ART WILL REMAIN IN EXHIBIT THROUGH JULY 31ST, WITH SEVERAL PHOTOGRAPHS PLANNED TO BE ADDED BY GALLERY DIRECTOR FRANK GROMLING.

“A Beautiful Tragedy” 60” x 48” $2800

Chris Gug was selected to be the March special event shortly after Gromling arranged for “The Lost Weekend – The Photography of May Pang” show for January 21 & 22. Gromling knew then that he wanted to have a major artist to be featured at Ocean Art Gallery every other month in 2025. He, and wife/gallery partner Bibi, set out to find the best talent in the world for March and beyond. Chris Gug readily came to mind.

They had seen his work in Gug’s beautiful gallery in Lauderdale by the Sea and Frank had spoken with Gug previously about being featured in Ormond Beach. He made the call and everything rapidly came together to make Gug’s March appearance in Ormond Beach his first ever in an art gallery in Volusia or Flagler County.

“Blue Man Group” 40” x 30” $1300

Chris Gug and Frank Gromling have something very much in common besides their love of art. It is their love of the ocean. While Chris turned his love into a successful photographic career, Gromling followed his heart by being an active volunteer in critical research projects that help protect selected species. For example, twenty-five years in North Atlantic Right Whale research along the North Florida Coast, including the publishing of Frank’s Whales, brought Frank into contact with famous conservationists, including Jean-Michel Cousteau, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Dr. James H. W. Haine, and others. Gug’s art and Gromling’s gallery were meant to be together.

Frank and Bibi Gromling are preparing the gallery for a large audience, similar to the response they experienced from Central Florida art lovers for the May Pang exhibit in January when hundreds of people attended that two-day event. While Gug may not be a John Lennon-like character, collectors know how much the art world loves Gug’s ability to capture the most startling, beautiful, and often other-worldly images from under ocean surfaces.

The March 12-13 Gug event is free, Chris will meet with guests, and light refreshments will be served. If you have questions, reach out to (386) 317-9400.

“Candyland” 72” x 36” (each panel) triptych $11,000

I-40 Reopens to Restricted Traffic Between Tennessee and North Carolina for First Time Since Hurricane Helene

By
Flagler News Weekly
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Friday, February 28, 2025 | 08:17am

KNOXVILLE — In another milestone of the progress made since Hurricane Helene devastated parts of Tennessee and North Carolina, motorists can travel between the two states on I-40 for the first time since September 2024 on Saturday, March 1.

In October 2024, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) reopened I-40 to one traffic lane in each direction between MM 446 and MM 451 (Waterville Road) in Cosby, just before the TN/NC state line. This weekend, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will reopen on their side of I-40, permitting travel between states.

Due to anticipated slowdowns and lengthy delays, TDOT recommends that motorists traveling into North Carolina take I-81 North to I-77 South in Virginia or I-81 North to I-26 East.

This area will have lowered speeds, with a 40-mile-per-hour limit in Tennessee and a 35-mile-per-hour limit in North Carolina. Vehicles over 8½ feet in width will not be allowed to use this roadway. Motorists must remember that this remains an active work zone in both states, with reduced lane widths to protect workers rebuilding the interstate in Tennessee and North Carolina.

In addition, motorists also need to be aware of the following:

  • The work zone extends from MM 446 in Tennessee to MM 7 in North Carolina.

  • There is only one lane of traffic open in each direction across approximately 12 miles.

  • Work crews and construction equipment will enter and exit this roadway daily.

  • There are no shoulders and no emergency pull-off lanes within the work zone.

  • There are no exits in the work zone with easy access to gas stations or convenience stores.

For more information on Hurricane Helene Recovery efforts, please visit: Hurricane Helene Recovery.

Featured Image: TNDOT

President Trump Issues Executive Order Designating English as the Official Language of The United States

By
Flagler News Weekly
-

EXECUTIVE ORDER
DESIGNATING ENGLISH AS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF
THE UNITED STATES

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Purpose and Policy. From the founding of our Republic, English has been used as our national language. Our Nation’s historic governing documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, have all been written in English. It is therefore long past time that English is declared as the official language of the United States. A nationally designated language is at the core of a unified and cohesive society, and the United States is strengthened by a citizenry that can freely exchange ideas in one shared language.

In welcoming new Americans, a policy of encouraging the learning and adoption of our national language will make the United States a shared home and empower new citizens to achieve the American dream. Speaking English not only opens doors economically, but it helps newcomers engage in their communities, participate in national traditions, and give back to our society. This order recognizes and celebrates the long tradition of multilingual American citizens who have learned English and passed it to their children for generations to come.

To promote unity, cultivate a shared American culture for all citizens, ensure consistency in government operations, and create a pathway to civic engagement, it is in America’s best interest for the Federal Government to designate one — and only one — official language. Establishing English as the official language will not only streamline communication but also reinforce shared national values, and create a more cohesive and efficient society.

Accordingly, this order designates English as the official language of the United States.

Sec. 2. Definitions. For purposes of this order:
(a) “Agency” has the meaning given to it in section 3502 of title 44, United States Code, except that such term does not include the Executive Office of the President or any components thereof.
(b) “Agency Head” means the highest-ranking official of an agency, such as the Secretary, Administrator, Chairman, or Director, unless otherwise specified in this order.

Sec. 3. Designating an Official Language for the United States. (a) English is the official language of the United States.
(b) Executive Order 13166 of August 11, 2000 (Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency), is hereby revoked; nothing in this order, however, requires or directs any change in the services provided by any agency. Agency heads should make decisions as they deem necessary to fulfill their respective agencies’ mission and efficiently provide Government services to the American people. Agency heads are not required to amend, remove, or otherwise stop production of documents, products, or other services prepared or offered in languages other than English.
(c) The Attorney General shall rescind any policy guidance documents issued pursuant to Executive Order 13166 and provide updated guidance, consistent with applicable law.

Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

THE WHITE HOUSE,
March 1, 2025.

Media Release: The White House

Bring the Family! Springfest Set for Saturday, March 1

By
Danielle Anderson
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Palm Coast’s London Waterway Project Now Completed

By
Patrick Appolonia
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Palm Coast, FL— Nearly one year after beginning construction, the City of Palm Coast’s London Waterway Expansion project is now complete. The project, located between London Dive and Leaver Drive, aims to increase stormwater storage capacity and provide natural beauty to the city’s ‘L’ and ‘B’ sections. The milestone was commemorated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the location on Thursday, February 27, 2025.

The project began with the creation of a new 13-acre lake designed to enhance flood storage and reduce peak flood elevations in the city’s London Waterway. This lake will also improve water quality in receiving waters through stormwater treatment. Additionally, approximately 250,000 cubic yards of soil excavated from the site will be repurposed for use at the city’s new Maintenance Operations Center, located off US1 near Matanzas Woods Parkway.

“The London Waterway Expansion Project is unique in that it helps provide environmental benefits to our community, while also providing a beautiful aesthetic for those that live in the area,” said Project Manager Andrea Mudryk. “It’s a beautiful area, and we hope that the local community is as excited as we are for the finished product.”

Aesthetically, the project brings two new walkable boardwalk docks to the area, creating a passive park environment that also includes new vegetation along the entire perimeter and two island areas featured at the project site. To learn more about all current and upcoming projects taking place in the City of Palm Coast, visit palmcoast.gov/pcprogress

This project was made possible through a grant from the St. Johns River Water Management District, American Rescue Plan Act funds, and the city’s Stormwater Management fund.

Stay informed with the latest news and information from the City of Palm Coast by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. You can sign up for weekly updates by visiting www.palmcoastgov.com/government/city-manager/week-in-review

Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis Announce Funding for Florida Cancer Initiatives and Promote the Success of Florida’s Cancer Innovation Fund

By
Flagler News Weekly
-

TALLAHASSEE Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis visited Florida International University to announce cancer initiatives included in the Governor’s proposed Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26. The Governor and First Lady also highlighted the success of Florida’s Cancer Innovation Fund, which is entering its third round of applications for this current fiscal year.

“Florida has made historic investments in cancer research and innovation, and we are looking forward to doing even more to fight this devastating disease,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This morning, First Lady Casey DeSantis and I highlighted our state’s cancer initiatives for 2025. We are committed to finding solutions that can transform cancer care, support patients and their loved ones, and ultimately save countless lives.”

The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget includes historic funding for cancer research initiatives and builds off of previous years’ already historic investments in support of critical research. This year’s proposal includes:
Continuing $60 million in funding for the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund.
$132.5 million for the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, which will fund grants and establish the Florida Cancer Research network to expand collaboration among health care providers, researchers, and facilities.
$30 million invested to establish the new Cancer Connect Collaborative Incubator. This incubator will concentrate on specific areas of cancer research on a rotating basis every five years, aiming to enhance research capacity throughout Florida. Their initial focus will be on pediatric cancer research.

The Governor and First Lady’s highlight of the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund comes as it gets set to enter its third application cycle for awards this fiscal year. The program’s first round opened in November 2024, and applications were accepted through December 13, 2024. After a thorough review process, the Cancer Connect Collaborative was proud to select First Ascent Biomedical as one of the program’s first award winners. This company was awarded $2 million to research Functional Precision Medicine, which will be used to help create personalized treatment plans for patients whose cancer has returned and will help cover the cost of medications. Round 2 awards are currently undergoing the selection process and will be notified around mid-April 2025. Next fiscal year, application cycles will open quarterly.

The Florida Cancer Innovation Fund was established as part of the Focus on Florida’s Future Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25. This fund aims to provide opportunities to break down to provide research projects funding that focus on innovative approaches to data infrastructure and best practices of disease treatment. Funding is for Florida-based institutions only.

Medial Release: Office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

Synergy Senior Fitness and Palm Coast Elks Lodge 2709 Announce New BAM Class for Seniors

By
Cindy Dalecki
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Senior Fitness Specialist Artie G. is excited to announce a new Balance and Motion (BAM) fitness class at the Elks Lodge, beginning Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. The class will be held weekly at the Elks Lodge 2709, 53 Old Kings Rd N, Palm Coast, FL 32137 and is open to both Elks Lodge members and the community.

The BAM class is a proven exercise program designed specifically for active older adults looking to improve strength, flexibility, cardio endurance, core, and balance—all essential components for maintaining independence and vitality as we age.

“This collaboration with the Elks Lodge has solved a big problem,” said Artie G., founder of Synergy Senior Fitness. “We needed another space to accommodate the many eager seniors in our community looking to stay fit and thrive. This new class will be a convenient option for seniors in Northeast Palm Coast, where most of our students come from. We are thrilled to make fitness more accessible to them!”

The opportunity to bring Synergy Senior Fitness to the Elks Lodge was made possible through an invitation from Kathy Collaro, President of the Elks Ladies Auxiliary, who recognized the demand for high-quality fitness programs for seniors. “We are excited to host the BAM class and support the health and well-being of seniors in our community,” Collaro said.

Seniors interested in joining the BAM class, or seeing the full line of classes offered in Flagler and Volusia Counties, can visit synergyseniorfitness.com.  Classes are free with most insurances or a donation for those without coverage.

For more information on classes, contact Artie G. at (386) 931-3485 or visit synergyseniorfitness.com.

Innovative technology at AdventHealth brings hope and relief to cancer patients in Flagler County

By
Flagler News Weekly
-

PALM COAST, Fla., Feb. 25, 2025 – Cancer patients in Flagler County now have access to a new procedure that can relieve bone pain in just days, instead of weeks or months.

Dr. Ark Kheyfits, interventional radiologist and radiology leader at AdventHealth Palm Coast and Palm Coast Parkway, is using the OptaBlate bone tumor ablation system to help patients with painful bone metastases feel better faster.

“For many patients, bone cancer pain can be unbearable, and traditional radiation therapy can take weeks or even months to provide relief,” said Kheyfits. “With this new procedure, we can ease their pain in just days, helping them move, sleep, and live more comfortably.”

The short, minimally invasive outpatient procedure takes about an hour and is available at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway.

During the procedure, Kheyfits and his team insert a small probe into the affected bone and use heat to destroy the tumor before filling the space with medical-grade cement to stabilize the bone. This two-step process provides immediate pain relief and helps prevent future fractures.

“Patients often come back to us within a day or two, saying they already feel significant relief,” said Kheyfits. “As a physician, seeing that kind of quick relief is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.”

This technology is especially helpful for patients who may not tolerate long radiation treatments. By addressing their pain quickly, they can continue other cancer treatments with less discomfort.

Beyond OptaBlate, Kheyfits is passionate about using cutting-edge interventional radiology techniques to improve lives.

“What excites me most about this specialty is the constant evolution of tools and techniques to treat patients less invasively and more effectively,” he said. “At the end of the day, it is about giving people hope and helping them feel whole again.”

Media Release: AdventHealth East Florida Division

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Flagler News Weekly Editor: Danielle Anderson Published by Sunrise Media Group, LLC ©Flagler News Weekly, All Rights Reserved.
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